Simulating Musical Instruments

Abstract

The invention provides a realistic drum experience in a video game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a drum controller having at least one cymbal and at least one drum pad. It involves determining if a cue to be displayed on the display in a particular sub-lane should be a cue indicating a cymbal input or a cue indicating a pad input. Then, the cue is displayed in the particular sub-lane, indicating the cymbal input or pad input (dependent on the previous determination). Then, input is received from the player via the drum controller; and the input is given a first score if the input was a cymbal input associated with the particular sub-lane and the input is given a second score if the input was an input other than a cymbal input associated with the particular sub-lane.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit of priority to Application No. 61 / 314,571, filed Mar. 16, 2010 and entitled “Simulating Musical Instruments” by Booth et al. and to Application No. 61 / 353,519, filed Jun. 10, 2010 and entitled “Simulating Musical Instruments” by Booth et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to video games, and, more specifically, rhythm-action games which simulate the experience of playing simulated musical instruments.BACKGROUND[0003]Music making is often a collaborative effort among many musicians who interact with each other. One form of musical interaction may be provided by a video game genre known as “rhythm-action,” which involves a player performing phrases from an assigned, prerecorded musical composition using a video game's input device to simulate a musical performance. If the player performs a sufficient ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The invention herein is a game that allows a player to more realistically simulate the experience of playing an actual instrument, such as the drums, a guitar, or a keyboard. One of the inventions herein, implemented in various ways such as computerized methods executed by a game platform, executable instructions tangibly embodied in a computer readable storage medium, systems with an apparatus configured to perform particular functions, apparatuses with means for performing the functions, and other forms of technology, provides players of a rhythm-action game a playing experience that more closely resembles that of simulating a drumming experience. For example, in one embodiment, there is a method of providing a realistic drum experience in a video game. The method is executed on a video game platform in communication with a display and a drum controller, where the drum controller has at least one cymbal and at least one drum pad. The method includes determining, by the processor, if a cue or gem to be displayed on the display in a particular sub-lane associated with a particular indicia should be a cue indicating a cymbal input or a cue indicating a pad input. The method also includes displaying, on the display, in the particular sub-lane, the cue indicating the cymbal input or pad input as determined in before. Then the game platform receives input from the player via the drum controller; and scores the input with a first score if the input was a cymbal input associated with the particular indicia and scores the input with a second score if the input was an input other than a cymbal input associated with the particular indicia. In some implementations, the indicia is a color. In some implementations the second score is equal to the first score if the input is a pad associated with the particular indicia. The second score can also be less than the first score if the input is a pad associated with the particular indicia. Although a method is described, the same can be embodied as a computer program product or a system or apparatus.

Problems solved by technology

If the player fails to perform a sufficient percentage, the singer may score poorly and lose the game.

The “fake plastic guitars” however, do not train players how to play a real guitar.

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